DALLAS — You think you’re a college football fan? Better check your fandom at the door because Southern Methodist University super fan Paul Layne likely has you beat. Every Saturday since 1972, his schedule has consisted of one thing: SMU football.

What You Need To Know

  • Paul Layne has been to 527 SMU football games in a row

  • The farthest he traveled for a game was Tokyo, Japan

  • This week he will be in Philadelphia to attend SMU’s game against Temple

During the span of those 48 years, Layne has attended 527 consecutive games, including home and away contests. As a freshman journalism student, Layne covered the Mustangs on game days. However, the sports editor of The Daily Campus told him he was too energetic to be stuck inside the press box. So, he suggested Layne should try a different approach to express his school spirit.

“I started my streak in ’72 when I tried out for the cheerleading squad,” said Layne. “After I made the team, I got to go to all the away games for free. Then it kind of got in my blood.”

He’s got the blood of a Mustang. Even after nearly five decades of games, Layne still gets butterflies walking into the stadium.

“When I hear the band start playing, that’s when I kind of get goose bumps,” Layne said.

Throughout the course of a game, dozens of people approach Layne with a warm welcome and ask for pictures. He garners as much attention on campus as head coach Sonny Dykes.

Layne is also as superstitious as any fan comes. He has to park in a certain spot on the lower level and he has to sit in seat seven.

“Seven has always been lucky for me,” said Layne. “My birthday is 7/17 so I’ve always liked those two numbers.”

Layne’s love for SMU is so strong, it even survived the death penalty. In 1987, the Mustangs were severely punished for repeated violations of paying players under the table. Since that canceled season, the program has endured three decades of hardship. There have been eight head coaches and 22 losing seasons, but Layne was there supporting his team every step of the way.

“He’s just incredibly loyal,” said SMU head coach Sonny Dykes. “By supporting the program through all the ups and downs, it just says a lot about what kind of person he is.”

Under Dykes’ leadership, SMU is relevant again. The Mustangs are off to a 6-1 start to the 2020 season and are ranked in the top 25.

I didn’t know if I’d live long enough to see that again. I sure am glad I got to, because it sure is a lot of fun,” Layne said.

Now it’s time for more fun with more football, more game days and more memories.